NGCP assures bets: No power interruption during May 13 polls

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  â€” The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has assured local candidates in Negros Oriental of no power interruption during the May 13 elections.

The NGCP statement was read before the candidates who attended the covenant signing last Monday for Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

As stakeholder in the coming political exercise, NGCP-Visayas Corporate Communications and Public Affairs officer Elmer Cruz sent a message to the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) reiterating the company’s commitment to the public that the country’s power grid will remain reliable and stable during the crucial elections.

Cruz said NGCP formed a special task force to ensure smooth transmission of electricity, with a contingency plan in place.

He quoted NGCPO spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza as saying the task force has commenced its operation in early February and will work 24/7. Part of its responsibility is to secure power lines and substations from any threats to avoid unplanned outages, he said.

Barring unforeseen events, NGCP can guarantee that there will be no transmission-related interruptions, and that any power interruption caused by power generation factors in utility operations are beyond their control, Cruz said.

As part of preparations, NGCP will make all its assets available one week before, during and one week after the elections to ensure electricity for the PCOS machines.

The Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2), for its part, reported that, as of today, it has accomplished 93 percent of the coop’s pre-inspection of distribution lines as well as service drops including the transformers that are serving the polling places within its coverage area.

NORECO 2 general manager Eunora Sameon said this was the coop’s way of assuring that it is one with everybody in the commitment to achieve a CHAMP elections.

Sameon said NORECO 2 has been doing its best as early as February this year to ensure that the lines are in good order and will be able to give uninterrupted power service to all polling precincts.  (FREEMAN)